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Take it slowly
Indian hospitality can be very generous and the businessperson will be the recipient of a warm welcome from the moment they touch down. If, however, you are arranging your own arrival at the airport, ensure you have ordered a car to meet you and take you directly to your hotel. So often flights arrive in the late hours and you should allow yourself as much rest as possible.  

No matter how much one hears about the 'new India', the old India will hit you the moment you leave the airport — the crowds, the intensity of street life, great variations of wealth and poverty. The sheer intensity of the culture, with people staring and pressing in on you, as well as the temperature and humidity, can be overwhelming. Build in some 'buffer' time to rest and collect your thoughts.

Dress correctly
Indian businessmen always wear jackets and so should any visiting men, at least initially, as presentation is taken extremely seriously however hot it is. Women should avoid short skirts or bare arms — trouser suits are sensible. The air conditioning can become freezing and a shawl or jacket is essential.

Watch the time
Indians are not always good timekeepers and nor are they respectful of other people's time. Events unfold and often one starts from scratch, setting a schedule upon arrival (unlike in the West where everything is well diarised ahead). Ask your host to confirm what would be a good time to meet but do not schedule back-to-back appointments — even driving between appointments can take an age in congested cities at all times of the day until about 7.30pm.

Use correct forms of address
If you are meeting for the first time you will need to use the last name with the honorific until you get to know the people better.  Status dictates that one uses the various titles and designations and affords respect that way.

Create a relationship
You cannot get straight down to business. Establishing a pleasant relationship is very important. India is a relationship-oriented culture and if you don't do that it will be hard to go beyond the preliminaries. You need to show an interest in and respect for your Indian colleagues and not just view them as a means to an end.

Izat is the word that means self esteem, 'face' position in life, and your Indian colleagues will need to establish their respective izats, and indeed so must you. They will be keenly interested in your designation within your organisation and how you live, whether married, how many children, perhaps what car you drive and your education.  At no stage will anybody want to be intrusive yet the more comfortable they feel with you the greater success and respect you will generate.

Aline Dobbie is the author of India: The Peacock's Call, India: The Tiger's Roar and India: The Elephant's Blessing and
Quicklook at India (quicklookbooks.com), the first eBook on India.

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